Methods and apparatus for dispensing medicaments into a punctal plug

Abstract

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a dispensing a material with an active agent into an ophthalmic device. Some embodiments include dispensing high viscous materials into a punctal plug.

1 . An apparatus for forming an ophthalmic device, the apparatus comprising:
 a mount for receiving the ophthalmic device, wherein the ophthalmic device comprises a cavity for containing an active agent-containing material;   a nozzle through which the excipient and the active agent are dispensed into the cavity of the ophthalmic device; and   a pump for dispensing the excipient through the nozzle into the cavity of the ophthalmic device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a punctal plug. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the active agent-containing material comprises poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and ethylene vinyl acetate are each present in an amount of about 50 weight percent. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  3 , wherein the active agent-containing material comprises one or more fiber or fiber-like structures. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the device further comprises a release modulating component selected from the group consisting of biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, non-biodegradable semi-permeable membranes, pores and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claims 1  or  2 , wherein the active-agent containing material further comprises an outer segment comprising a first material having a low concentration of the active agent and an inner segment comprising a second material having a high concentration of the active agent, wherein the permeability of the first material to the active agent is less than the permeability of the second material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the active agent-containing material further comprises one or more of a phase separated inclusion, a destabilizing inclusion or a stabilizing inclusion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pump comprises a positive displacement pump. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the punctal plug comprises a body having a first end and a second end; a surface extending between the two ends; a reservoir contained within the body wherein the reservoir comprises at least one opening, an active agent-containing material and an active agent, wherein the active agent is present in a continuous or discontinuous concentration gradient within the active agent-containing material. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2  additionally comprising a reservoir for containing a volume of the active agent-containing material to be dispensed. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the reservoir comprises a syringe cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the syringe comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , additionally comprising a heater device positioned to heat a volume of active agent-containing material contained within the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2  additionally comprising a heater device positioned to heat an active agent-containing material in the nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pump for dispensing the active agent-containing material through the nozzle into the cavity of the punctal plug is capable of dispensing a volume of material of 50 picoliters of less. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pump for dispensing the active agent-containing material through the nozzle into the cavity of the punctal plug is capable of dispensing a volume of material with a viscosity comprising between 1 centipoise to 1,000,000 centipoise. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the pump for dispensing the active agent-containing material through the nozzle into the cavity of the punctal plug is capable of dispensing a volume of material with a viscosity comprising between 500,000 centipoise to 3,500,000 centipoise.